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Leipzig Jazz Festival Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary

Leipzig Jazz Festival Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary
National and international artists perform at the Leipzig Jazz Festival. (File photo) / Photo: Fernando Gutierrez-Juarez/dpa
From: Sachsen News
The Leipzig Jazz Festival has been running for half a century. To mark the anniversary, the organizers are presenting regional and international stars.

The Leipzig Jazz Festival is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary. According to the program guide, the Jazzclub Leipzig will present more than two dozen concerts from October 17 to 25, including one for children on the festival’s final day. The artists range in age from 16 to 88, according to a spokeswoman.

Musician Conny Bauer will also be performing again; according to the organizers, he performed at the very first edition in 1976 and is considered one of the “pioneers of the East German free jazz scene.” Also performing is the duo Norma Winstone and Kit Downes, who are 45 years apart in age.

Music with “the courage to be intimate” and “a thirst for adventure”

Singer Winstone began her career in the 1960s in pubs and is one of the most renowned artists in European jazz, according to the organizers. She and pianist Downes are united by a “courage to be intimate” and a “thirst for adventure.”

In addition to the concerts, visitors will be able to take an audio walk through Leipzig’s jazz history. According to a press release, this year’s edition is held under the patronage of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

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